Are Nemeth & Co surplus to requirements next season?

According to reports, Greek side AEK Athens are not only hoping to extend the loan spell of Krisztian Nemeth next season, but they are also looking at three other possible loan signings from Liverpool, including Nabil El Zhar, Damien Plessis and Chris Mavinga. So should we keep them or allow them to go on loan to Greece next season? Here’s my assessment as to who should go and who should stay.

Krisztian Nemeth – The Hungarian striker has had a useful loan spell in Greece this season, scoring 3 goals in 13 league games. He started many of AEK’s recent games but his season has been hindered by niggling injuries which have prevented him from playing as many matches as he would have liked. Certainly, it is a good thing that AEK want him back but with Liverpool’s own striker shortage currently, would it be such a wise move? With Dani Pacheco, and Milan Jovanovic hopefully coming in the summer, as well as hopefully another striker, Nemeth’s opportunities at Anfield may once again be limited. It could only benefit his career and Liverpool if he returned to Greece next season, played regularly and scored 20 goals. There have been glimpses of what he is capable of this season, but if he can become a prolific goalscorer next season playing regularly, then he might just be ready for the Premier League. Verdict: Should Go.

Nabil El Zhar – Out of all them, probably the most difficult to decide as he has been on the cusp of the first team for the last two years. His progression at the club has been slightly hampered this season with a long term injury which has sidelined him for the majority of the campaign, and he has only in recent months featured again as a substitute. A quick winger with a good left foot, I don’t think he is ready for first team action quite yet, and a loan spell at AEK may do him some good, perhaps strengthening him physically for the rigours of top level and seeing whether he can cut it in the first team in another league. Another season in the reserves or on the bench will not help the lad. Verdict: Should Go.

Damien Plessis – I would advocate that the French midfielder should be a prime candidate to be sent out on loan in the summer. Since moving to Liverpool nearly three years ago, Plessis has not progressed at the pace most at Liverpool would have liked. He made a tremendously impressive debut against Arsenal back in April 2008, but since he has flattered to deceive. He has a good left foot, a good passing range and his height and strength are beneficial, but his lack of pace and laid back attitude, means he sometimes dwells too long on the ball. At 22, Plessis doesn’t look likely to get ahead of Lucas in the pecking order for the defensive midfield role and his performances in the reserves recently have been of a player who lacks motivation. He maybe better served getting some first team football under his belt, to prove to himself more than anything that he has the capabilities. A move to AEK could do him a world of good. Verdict: Should Go

Chris Mavinga – The French left-back only joined in the summer from Paris St-Germain, but the 18 year old has already demonstrated in some matches his abilities at both centre half and left back. Although he is a raw talent, and is still prone to a mistake or two, sending him out on loan now may not be beneficial to his development as a player. Considering Emiliano Insua will be the only left back at the club this summer, with Fabio Aurelio leaving, Mavinga does also have the chance of first team football at Anfield, perhaps in the Carling Cup next season. To ship him out to Athens right in the middle of his development as a defender might not be a wise move and I doubt the Liverpool coaching staff would like to see him go out to Greece if they believe he would benefit more by staying in the reserves here for one more season. Verdict: Should Stay.